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Topic: Why is God so quiet in modern times? (Read 7125 times)

I think I may be on to something. I have an explanation for the rather conspicuous absence of God for the last 2000 years or so. I wish I would have heard it from a theist though; it's hardly fair for atheists to manage both ends of the debate.

How 'bout this? First, during the OT times we have "God, the Father" who showed up in person every now and then, and occasionally used a handy bush and some fancy pyrotechnics to chat with his special friends. Lots of hollering from the heavens and such; nasty plagues, massive wholesale slaughter, floods and other "natural" disasters; and some guy who lived in a fish for a while. Oh, we mustn't forget that really great practical joke him and Satan played on Job, that was a riot!

Eventually it becomes clear that mankind just doesn't get it, so he manifests as a different aspect of himself, labels it "son", impregnates a virgin, and gets born in human form. Jesus, as this part of God is known, spends a few decades here on Earth in a relatively small area, clearing up some misunderstandings about what God actually expects from us, then gets himself killed to save us from ourselves. Or from God's wrath - I never really got that part.

Anyway, a few day after he died, he came back to life and ascended into Heaven. That must have been quite the sight. Really wish one of these newly enlightened people had had the sense to invent a camera in time to snap a few pictures. This marks the end of Jesus turn as the communications officer.

I would like to suggest that the reason we haven't seen or heard from God OR Jesus in all the years since, is that it's the Holy Spirit's turn to be in charge. And ghosts are not known for their linguistic skills. And he could be shy. Or transparent. Or lip-less.

So, how does that work for an explanation? I've never heard a theist use it, even without all the sarcasm. Am I missing something? Am I just talking to theists who aren't smart enough to come up with it, or is it so obvious it doesn't need to be stated? I can't decide.

Looks like Jesus got shortchanged if this theory is right. God had his way from creation until that star lit up, and the Holy Spirit's been in charge since Jesus moved back in with his dad. Jesus only got a few decades and he never even got laid! The only human body among the three incarnations and he died a virgin, just like his mother. No wonder he's so obsessed about sex. That hardly seems fair.

And as it's well after 3 am here, I might have a little bit too much time on my hands.

I think I may be on to something. I have an explanation for the rather conspicuous absence of God for the last 2000 years or so. I wish I would have heard it from a theist though; it's hardly fair for atheists to manage both ends of the debate.

How 'bout this? First, during the OT times we have "God, the Father" who showed up in person every now and then, and occasionally used a handy bush and some fancy pyrotechnics to chat with his special friends. Lots of hollering from the heavens and such; nasty plagues, massive wholesale slaughter, floods and other "natural" disasters; and some guy who lived in a fish for a while. Oh, we mustn't forget that really great practical joke him and Satan played on Job, that was a riot!

Eventually it becomes clear that mankind just doesn't get it, so he manifests as a different aspect of himself, labels it "son", impregnates a virgin, and gets born in human form. Jesus, as this part of God is known, spends a few decades here on Earth in a relatively small area, clearing up some misunderstandings about what God actually expects from us, then gets himself killed to save us from ourselves. Or from God's wrath - I never really got that part.

Anyway, a few day after he died, he came back to life and ascended into Heaven. That must have been quite the sight. Really wish one of these newly enlightened people had had the sense to invent a camera in time to snap a few pictures. This marks the end of Jesus turn as the communications officer.

I would like to suggest that the reason we haven't seen or heard from God OR Jesus in all the years since, is that it's the Holy Spirit's turn to be in charge. And ghosts are not known for their linguistic skills. And he could be shy. Or transparent. Or lip-less.

So, how does that work for an explanation? I've never heard a theist use it, even without all the sarcasm. Am I missing something? Am I just talking to theists who aren't smart enough to come up with it, or is it so obvious it doesn't need to be stated? I can't decide.

Looks like Jesus got shortchanged if this theory is right. God had his way from creation until that star lit up, and the Holy Spirit's been in charge since Jesus moved back in with his dad. Jesus only got a few decades and he never even got laid! The only human body among the three incarnations and he died a virgin, just like his mother. No wonder he's so obsessed about sex. That hardly seems fair.

And as it's well after 3 am here, I might have a little bit too much time on my hands.

Anyway, a few day after he died, he came back to life and ascended into Heaven.....

Actually, the explanation that makes more sense (if you believe any of it happened in the first place) is that when he incarnated himself on earth, he left a power vacuum. This allowed Satan the opportunity to change the rules of the game juuuust enough so that when Christ died on the cross he was unable to resume his full godly-powers and intervene in the world as much as he did before. Depending on which way you want to look at things, this either means that (a) Yahweh is trapped in heaven, still the big cheese there but unable to influence Earth, or (b) - and this is more likely - when he "took on the sins of the world" he became prime candidate for hell and was forever after been trapped there in the eternal torture that he created.

Accounts of post-death sightings are conflicting and can be safely ignored.

Anyway, a few day after he died, he came back to life and ascended into Heaven.....

Actually, the explanation that makes more sense (if you believe any of it happened in the first place) is that when he incarnated himself on earth, he left a power vacuum. This allowed Satan the opportunity to change the rules of the game juuuust enough so that when Christ died on the cross he was unable to resume his full godly-powers and intervene in the world as much as he did before. Depending on which way you want to look at things, this either means that (a) Yahweh is trapped in heaven, still the big cheese there but unable to influence Earth, or (b) - and this is more likely - when he "took on the sins of the world" he became prime candidate for hell and was forever after been trapped there in the eternal torture that he created.

Accounts of post-death sightings are conflicting and can be safely ignored.

you VOCAL about ziz Y mormon?

Logged

Fuck the Bible, you can't even eat in it.

First I told my imaginary friend about Jesus, then I told Jesus about my imaginary friend.

I have answered this question on other forums. I shall do so here too.

God has been a bit more quiet during these 2000 bcz his people(jews) rejected Jesus. Yes He obviously knew they would reject Him, but He still had to show us how angry He was with the decision to kill His Son. They had rejected the Light & therefore The Light rejected them until 1948 when Israel became a nation again in one day! Just as it was prophecied :

Isaiah 66:7 Before going into labor, she gave birth; before her pains came, she delivered a male child. 8 Who ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Is a country born in one day? Is a nation brought forth all at once? For as soon as Tziyon went into labor, she brought forth her children. 9 "Would I let the baby break through and not be born?" asks ADONAI. "Would I, who cause the birth, shut the womb?" asks your God.

Logged

Presuppositionalism wins everytime

Nietzsche : "Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

God has been a bit more quiet during these 2000 bcz his people(jews) rejected Jesus. Yes He obviously knew they would reject Him, but He still had to show us how angry He was with the decision to kill His Son. They had rejected the Light & therefore The Light rejected them until 1948 when Israel became a nation again in one day! Just as it was prophecied :

Why would he be angry at anyone for killing Jebus? Wasn't that the exact purpose for him being sent in the first place? You know, "god's plan" and all? If you're going to make shit up about an unknowable invisible entity, at least try to be consistent about it.

Logged

He never pays attention, he always knows the answer, and he can never tell you how he knows. We can't keep thrashing him. He is a bad example to the other pupils. There's no educating a smart boy.-– Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time

It occurred to me, right before I fell asleep, that this scenario ties up another loose end for me. I've never been entirely sure what The Spook was responsible for. When I was very young, I thought it was god's spy, more or less - the whole ghost/spirit thing, obviously invisible, perfect candidate to ensure that THE LORD knew what everyone was up to. I outgrew that idea, but never found a replacement explanation. This would fill that hole.

Logged

"Tell people that there's an invisible man in the sky that created the entire universe and the majority believe you. Tell them the paint is wet, and they have to touch it to be sure." ~George Carlin

I have answered this question on other forums. I shall do so here too.

FTR, I didn't ask the question that you answered. I proposed an explanation of why in modern times (as opposed to biblical times when he showed up quite often, usually unannounced), we never hear directly from god himself.

If you were responding to the title of the post, then you clearly didn't read what I wrote.

Logged

"Tell people that there's an invisible man in the sky that created the entire universe and the majority believe you. Tell them the paint is wet, and they have to touch it to be sure." ~George Carlin

God has been a bit more quiet during these 2000 bcz his people(jews) rejected Jesus. Yes He obviously knew they would reject Him, but He still had to show us how angry He was with the decision to kill His Son. They had rejected the Light & therefore The Light rejected them until 1948 when Israel became a nation again in one day! Just as it was prophecied :

Why would he be angry at anyone for killing Jebus? Wasn't that the exact purpose for him being sent in the first place? You know, "god's plan" and all? If you're going to make shit up about an unknowable invisible entity, at least try to be consistent about it.

I answered your question. Please re-read my post.

Logged

Presuppositionalism wins everytime

Nietzsche : "Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

It occurred to me, right before I fell asleep, that this scenario ties up another loose end for me. I've never been entirely sure what The Spook was responsible for. When I was very young, I thought it was god's spy, more or less - the whole ghost/spirit thing, obviously invisible, perfect candidate to ensure that THE LORD knew what everyone was up to. I outgrew that idea, but never found a replacement explanation. This would fill that hole.

What time was it?

Logged

Fuck the Bible, you can't even eat in it.

First I told my imaginary friend about Jesus, then I told Jesus about my imaginary friend.

God may be quiet, but Petey is back! Long time, no see. Your return is welcomed...

Thank you sir! I wasn't really expecting anyone to notice. Hopefully I can avoid extended absences in the future.

Logged

He never pays attention, he always knows the answer, and he can never tell you how he knows. We can't keep thrashing him. He is a bad example to the other pupils. There's no educating a smart boy.-– Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time

God has been a bit more quiet during these 2000 bcz his people(jews) rejected Jesus. Yes He obviously knew they would reject Him, but He still had to show us how angry He was with the decision to kill His Son. They had rejected the Light & therefore The Light rejected them until 1948 when Israel became a nation again in one day! Just as it was prophecied :

Petey tried and failed, so I'll try.

If Jesus had died in his sleep at age 85 after a long and wonderful life, would he have died for our sins, which we were already guilty of because of the Adam and Eve thing? Is that what you would be saying: that Jesus died in his sleep for our sins? Of course not.

So God, as you say, knew we would reject (kill, which seems a bit extreme) him. He planned for it. Which makes the whole thing a scam. He knew, yet he still got angry. What kind of superior being plots such dastardly deeds and then still gets angry? What a dork.

In North Korea, if you commit a crime and are sentenced to their version of prison, your next three generations are also imprisoned. Punished for your crime. They serve time with you. If it is a life sentence, your great great grandchildren will be the ones released. I take it you think this pretty darned fair, because it is a much milder sentence than the Adam and Eve dead Jesus thing. Which is for every frickin' generation ever. Even those who were never told about it.

But fair isn't a quality of your god. Omnipotence takes up so much room that nothing else will fit, I guess.

Anyway, for the story to work, it requires three elements. Original sin, Jesus getting zapped and a crapload of guilty people quivering in fear. You catholics are providing the latter. But only makes sense (in a masochistic sort of way) if it is real.

You want a god who planned thousands of years in advance for the suffering of the very people he brought into existence. He plotted with himself to induce error so he could complain about it. He tampered with evidence, killed off witnesses, complicated everything by introducing different languages, picked favorites, gave bad instructions, let folks wander around lost for ridiculous periods of time, feared iron chariots and inspired stories that don't hold water. And you love this guy?

I know, you think I'm going to hell for sure. Well, if your god is real, let him strike me dead before I finish this sentence. Well, here, I'll give him another chance. Nope. I'll type a longer one so he'll have the time required by an omnipotent being to actually accomplish zapping me via any convenient means and I'm running out of things to say so he'd better hurry up but oh well, I guess he's a lazy fuck so I'm ending this one right about now. See, I'm still alive.

But there is a hell. I know this for sure. It is the state of mind introduced by religion; the one where it scares the crap out of its followers and demands their allegiance and in general sanctifies dickishness. You may enjoy it, but inquiring minds know better.

If, on the other hand, humans evolved, and lack perfection simply because there is no reason for evolved beings to be perfect (since it is not a requirement of evolution), then our flaws, including those of dishonesty and stealing things and such are simply built in to us. Which would explain why people are sosmetimes bad, without having to evoke gods and such.

I have answered this question on other forums. I shall do so here too.

God has been a bit more quiet during these 2000 bcz his people(jews) rejected Jesus. Yes He obviously knew they would reject Him, but He still had to show us how angry He was with the decision to kill His Son. They had rejected the Light & therefore The Light rejected them until 1948 when Israel became a nation again in one day! Just as it was prophecied :

Isaiah 66:7 Before going into labor, she gave birth; before her pains came, she delivered a male child. 8 Who ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Is a country born in one day? Is a nation brought forth all at once? For as soon as Tziyon went into labor, she brought forth her children. 9 "Would I let the baby break through and not be born?" asks ADONAI. "Would I, who cause the birth, shut the womb?" asks your God.

Some argue that killing His Son was the sacrifice that allowed humanity salvation.

The whole thing is a mishmash of no sense. God created the circumstances under which Man could sin knowing he WOULD sin, then after wiping out multitudes and orchestrating a near extinction, sent His Son to be killed (although that meant His Son would come back to Heaven and be his right-hand man for eternity, the big prize) and then left in a huff?

God has been a bit more quiet during these 2000 bcz his people(jews) rejected Jesus. Yes He obviously knew they would reject Him, but He still had to show us how angry He was with the decision to kill His Son. They had rejected the Light & therefore The Light rejected them until 1948 when Israel became a nation again in one day! Just as it was prophecied :

You catholics are providing the latter.

?? Nobody's catholic here my friend. Better luck next time

Logged

Presuppositionalism wins everytime

Nietzsche : "Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

That is not an answer. You know the rules and are blatantly ignoring them. Either participate as required by the rules which you agreed to follow when you signed up, or STFU. I don't know what weird scoring method you're using to keep track of your points in this childish game you're playing but it's getting old.

Either be an adult or leave. This is ridiculous.

Logged

"Tell people that there's an invisible man in the sky that created the entire universe and the majority believe you. Tell them the paint is wet, and they have to touch it to be sure." ~George Carlin